Sitka National Historic Park in Alaska

Sitka National Historic Park is Alaska’s oldest federally designated park. Its 113-acres of temperate rainforest are set aside to commemorate the 1804 battle between native Tlingit tribesman and Russian settlers. Ranger-led interpretive walks take visitors to such sites as the Tlingit fort and the memorial to the Russian midshipmen who died in the battle.

The brief yet fascinating history of Russian America is on display on the well-preserved Russian Bishop’s House. This 1843 log-structure is one of the last surviving examples of Russian colonial architecture in North America. Much of the furniture, decorations and artifacts inside belonged to the original inhabitants.

The Native American culture of the Pacific Northwest surrounds visitors to Sitka National Historic Park in the form of the many totem poles that can be found there. The poles are exact replicas of some of those found in this area, and include clan-totems, memorial markers and poles recording local folklore and history. The tallest of these poles is over 50 feet tall.

Sitka National Historic Park contains the Indian River, and is both a rainforest and an intertidal zone. This means that there are ample opportunities for wildlife observation. The river is full of life, from tiny water-bound insects to several species of trout and salmon. The shoreline areas support migratory waterfowl and shorebirds like Scoters, Buffleheads and Long-tailed Ducks. Resident birds include the Bald Eagle, the Spotted Sandpiper and the Great Blue Heron. Mink and Brown Bears are not strangers to Alaska’s Sitka National Park, and the occasional Sitka Blacktailed Deer may be seen.

The area around the nearby town of Sitka Alaska has opportunities for hiking, fishing and kayaking, as well as restaurants, shops and other amenities.